“What is it?” they both snapped in unison, unintentionally taking their frustrations out on the poor maid.
Isla seemed hurt as she glared at Melissa, presumably blaming her for Daniel’s abrupt behavior. “There is a lady at the kitchen doors that wished to see you, Me Lady,” she said, her stubby nose thrust in the air and her hands folded at her abdomen.
“Did she happen to say what her name was or what she needed?” Melissa asked with one eyebrow raised, challenging the maid to disrespect her in front of Daniel.
The relationship between the two women hadn’t improved much in the days since Melissa had moved in. Isla still treated her as if she were someone to be regarded as an annoyance.
“Meidra,” Isla reluctantly replied, pursing her lips. “She didnae say what it was about, just that she had something to give as a thank you for helping her.” she added bitterly, seemingly unimpressed by the fact that Melissa had helped anyone at all.
“Oh.” Melissa perked up and stood, feeling relief from the heated tension between her and Daniel.
“Somebody ye ken?” Daniel asked her curiously.
“Yes,” she replied with a teasing smile, slipping back into their flirtatious banter with ease. It didn’t matter how annoyed he made her, not when the heat between them always seemed to come back with ease. “Not somebody that you would know, I’m afraid.”
“Leave us, Isla,” he ordered the maid and stood, looking down at Melissa, focusing all of his attention on her once again.
“I will be waiting for ye at the back door of the kitchens, Me Lady,” Isla said in a hurt tone before leaving them be.
“What wild schemes have ye been up to now, ye little minx?” Daniel asked his wife, ignoring the attitude of his head maid.
The look in his eyes drove Melissa wild as a mischievous smile spread across her lips. “I guess you will never know, since you have other things to attend to,” She lifted her skirts and turned to leave.
Daniel’s hand shot out, gripping her arm and spinning her around before drawing her in for a lingering kiss that made her breath catch in her throat.
Melissa’s body immediately softened against his as her breath filled his lungs, allowing a contended sigh to escape her lips.
The sound filled him with pleasure as he realized with great reluctance that he’d need to let her go. “I’ll expect an explanation when I return,” he growled against her lips and took a step back.
“Is that a threat?” Melissa asked through labored breaths as she drew away, completely aroused by the foreplay that seemed to linger between them no matter what.
“If ye want it to be.” He gave her a charming smile that completely disarmed her before slowly stepping back and turning on his heel. “I’ll leave ye to carry on with yer schemes,” he called over his shoulder, then winked at her.
Melissa watched him as he walked away from her and toward the castle. He’d gotten her hot and bothered again, leaving her to deal with the aftermath of her feelings.
What did she feel?She asked herself as the heat she felt toward him was suddenly replaced by doubt and fear. She’d realized with shocking clarity after visiting Beitris that children were something she wanted in her future. But how was that possible when Daniel had said they would not be lying together as husband and wife?
Her mind filled with all kinds of questions as she watched him go. Did he not want to have any children? Did he not like them? Was it simply his rakish ways that kept him back from wanting a family and settling down?
There had to be something in his past that was keeping him from giving his heart to her completely. She couldn’t be mistaken in his attraction toward her, not after the way he had come and said goodbye.
She chewed on her lower lip and asked herself why she even cared that Daniel never wanted to have a child with her. She had married him for the convenience of saving her reputation and nothing more.
It’s not like I’m falling in love with him…
Her thoughts felt like a stab in her gut as she realized that she couldn’t say with absolute certainty that she would never fall for Daniel Forrester.
13
Walking around the side of the castle, Melissa made her way to the back where she knew that Meidra would be waiting for her. She’d hoped that Isla would have gone about her own business, but she quickly saw that the woman was waiting for her with a disapproving look on her face. Her chubby arms were firmly crossed over her chest.
Meidra stood as stiff as a board at the maid’s side, with the handle of a basket draped over her arm, smiling at Melissa with a barely concealed look of discomfort.
Melissa felt her irritation grow. Isla had undoubtedly made her caller feel unwelcome.
“Meidra, it’s so lovely to see you,” Melissa greeted the older woman, ignoring the head maid. “Is something the matter? I hope Tilly is doing well, I wasn’t expecting a visit.” She became concerned that something bad had happened.
“I’m sorry if the time isnae right, Me Lady,” Meidra began. “I wanted to bring ye a gift to say thank ye for the way that ye helped our Tilly. She’s never taken to strangers in the way that she took to ye.”
